Woman's Athletic Club of San Francisco
historic place
The Woman's Athletic Club of San Francisco, now known as the Metropolitan Club, was founded in 1915. Incorporated on October 25 of that year, it became the first women's athletic club west of Chicago. The clubhouse at 640 Sutter Street was built in phases, completed in 1917, with a major addition in 1923. Architects Bliss & Faville designed the building in an Italian Renaissance Revival style. This club was notable for its scale, intended to rival men's athletic clubs, a significant departure from other women's clubs of its time. In 1966, the club changed its name to the Metropolitan Club. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 10, 2004. This site represents a significant development in establishing dedicated athletic and social spaces for women in the western United States.